Golden Trio Chipotle Fall Soup. Crispy Tofu.

This Golden Trio Chipotle Soup combines three of my favorites: butternut squash, pumpkin and roasted sweet potato. Then I blend in spicy notes of chipotle powder, cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg and black pepper. Some garlic too - but just a touch. To diffuse the spiciness, I add some creamy non-dairy milk and an optional splash of coconut. On top, a dusting of spices and dainty pinch of chopped flat leaf parsley.

And some amazing little golden cubes of tofu too. "Soup Croutons" - I call them.

The result is a thick, yet light and silky blend of fall flavors and smoldering chipotle heat. This cozy golden bowl will warm you up and slow you down...

Creamy, silky, sweet-meets-savory, golden soups are my favorite for fall.

Last fall, I fell in love with my Pumpkin Squash Soup. It is a gem recipe I still make quite often. Sage and ginger twirling with pumpkin and butternut squash. So loving the tones and textures of that creamy golden soup, I created this spicy spin.

Golden Trio Chipotle Soup
vegan, makes 6-7 cups

2 cups butternut squash cubes, loosely packed
1 ½ cups sweet potato, mashed or puree (roasted or canned)
1 ½ cups pumpkin puree (homemade or canned - unsweetened)
1 tablespoon roasted garlic (freshly chopped or powder could be substituted)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
a few dashes of nutmeg
¾ teaspoon chipotle powder (or to taste for heat preferences)
1 teaspoon salt (I used pink salt) - use as a guide, always salt to taste
1 ½ cups soy milk, plain or unsweetened (or substitute another non-dairy milk - almond would work well)
1 teaspoon maple or agave syrup
2-3 teaspoon coconut oil (virgin, organic) OR a splash of coconut milk (optional)
fine black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

note: you can use canned pumpkin and sweet potato - but please use real squash cubes for best flavor - (organic, BPA free cans - I like Farmer's Market brand, or brands in the box packaging.)

Coconut Tofu Cube "Soup Croutons"

2 cups tofu cubes, extra firm
1 tablespoon organic virgin coconut oil, (use unrefined for more coconut flavor)
½ teaspoon chili salt (I use Penzey's 4S seasoned salt)
1-2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
black pepper + cayenne to taste

garnish: cinnamon + cayenne spices + chopped flat leaf parsley

optional accent: citrus! Add in a squeeze of orange or a pinch of orange zest - this gives a twist to the flavor and another tone that I love.

Directions:

1. First start your tofu. You will want to press out as much water as possible with a paper towel, then slice the block into cubes. Heat a skillet and add the coconut oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add in the pressed tofu and a swift sprinkling of your salt /chili spice, nutritional yeast, pepper and optional cayenne over top. Allow to cook about 2 minutes on each side, about 7 minutes total over high heat. The tofu does not have to be perfect because you will be re-heating it when you serve the soup! Transfer your cubes to a plate and place them in the fridge. Yes, the fridge.

2. You want to have time to roast your sweet potato - it is best to do this before hand since it can take a good 30-50 minutes to roast in a 400 degree oven.

3. Gather your squash cubes, pumpkin and sweet potato purees. Add the pumpkin and sweet potato to a blender (Vitamix or high speed works best.) Then add in all the remaining ingredients - except the non-dairy milk and turn the blender on the lowest setting. Slowly pour in the non-dairy milk until the purees thin out.

4. Bring a large pot of water to boil and add in the butternut squash cubes. Boil until the cubes are tender. Drain the cubes - reserving about ¼ cup of the boiling water. Add the boiled squash water to your blender - as well as the drained cubes. You may need to do this process in batches if your blender is on the small side.

5. Blend on low and slowly blend until the squash cubes are silky smooth with the rest of the ingredients. Do a taste test and adjust spices, salt, and sweetener as desired. you can also add in more non-dairy milk to thin out the soup. My soup was on the thick side. You could also use veggie broth to thin if desired.

6. You can either heat your soup bowl-for-bowl in the microwave (if only serving yourself) or simmer the soup in a soup pot on the stove until hot and ready to serve. The leftover soup can be strored in the fridge.

7. Back to those tofu cubes! Heat a saute pan on the stove over high heat - dry pan - nothing in it. Pull your chilled cubes and add a few to the pan - as many as you can handle to still let them breath with some spacing between them. The coconut oil that infused the cubes should make the pan sizzle but still be generally a dry pan. Allow the cubes to heat until they are browned and crispy on each side. Flip as needed. They should already be well-seasoned - but add additional salt or spices if desires.

8. Server soup with chopped parsley, spices and cubes over top. Some sprouted grain toast on the side.